[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39078-39084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16583]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL -7521-3]
Solicitation Notice; Children's Environmental Health Protection
State Level Collaboration to Address Childhood Asthma Initiative,
Fiscal Year 2003--USEPA-AO-OCHP-03-001
Fiscal Year 2003, Environmental Protection Agency, deadline for
letter of intent, August 11, 2003; http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.
Contents
Section I--Overview
Section II--Dates and Deadlines
Section III--Addresses for Delivering Letters of Intent and
Proposals
Section IV--Eligible Applicants and Activities
Section V--Funding Priorities
Section VI--Application Process
Section VII--Requirements for Letters of Intent and Full Proposals
Section VIII--Review and Selection Process
Section IX--Grantee Responsibilities
Section X--Other Information and Shipping
Attachment: Sample Letter of Intent Summary Sheet
Section I. Overview
A. Summary
This action known as the Solicitation Notice for the Children's
Environmental Health Protection State Level Collaboration to Address
Childhood Asthma Initiative, Fiscal Year 2003 announces the
availability of funds from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
Office of Children's Health Protection (OCHP), to support the efforts
of state environment and health agencies together to minimize the
environmental factors that exacerbate asthma symptoms in children.
B. Authorities
Section 103 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) authorizes EPA's
Administrator to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration
of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys and
studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare
effects), extent, prevention, and control of air pollution by making
grants to air pollution control agencies, to other public or nonprofit
private agencies, institutions, and organizations for purposes stated
in section 103(a)(1) http://www.epa.gov/oar/caa/caa103.txt.
The goal of the Children's Environmental Health Protection program
(hereinafter ``the Initiative'') is to minimize and/or eliminate
children's exposure to environmental health threats-- recognizing
children's special vulnerability to these threats and recognizing the
possibility of preventable childhood exposures leading to lifelong,
irreversible consequences. This program is included within the
Catalogue for Domestic Assistance (CFDA) listing number: 66.609 found
at http://www.cfda.gov. This funding initiative will support planning
and/or demonstration projects related specifically to the environmental
triggers of childhood asthma.
C. Background
In recent years, EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection has
encouraged and supported collaboration between state level health and
environment agencies toward the end of building state capacity to
combat childhood asthma.
Since the summer of 2001, the Environmental Council of the States
(ECOS) has collaborated with the Association of State and Territorial
Health Officials (ASTHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
to design a flexible template for state level strategies and actions to
minimize environmental factors that contribute to asthma in children.
This focus on environmental factors complements the on-going
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) state asthma program which recognizes
the need to address environmental factors but does not explicitly
provide guidance or support for this aspect of disease prevention and
control. This action may also complement Housing and Urban
Development's (HUD) Healthy Homes Initiative, which supports effective
home assessment and intervention programs as well as public education.
Throughout 2002, ECOS, ASTHO, and EPA hosted a series of four
workshops to refine the details of a cooperative approach in four
specific areas: Data, environmental factors in homes, environmental
factors in schools and child care facilities, and outdoor environmental
factors.
The eligible funding categories and guiding principles of this
Request for Applications are a reflection of the draft action agenda,
Catching Your Breath, http://www.astho.org/pubs/CatchingYourBreathReport.pdf that resulted from this intensive
collaborative visioning process.
D. Proposal Categories
The Initiative plans to award assistance agreements (grants and
cooperative agreements) to state health and environment agencies and/or
regional air authorities with formal delegated authorities with a
project
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period not to exceed 24 months in two main categories:
(1) Program planning projects;
(2) Program demonstration projects.
The specific funding priorities for each category are described in
detail below.
E. Dollar Limits per Proposal
For this competition, the Initiative anticipates making available
approximately $360,000 under this solicitation to fund approximately 9
to 12 awards. The dollar amount of each award will vary depending upon
Initiative priorities, proposal quality and level of activity, and
resource availability. Proposals for less than $20,000 or greater than
$50,000 will not be considered. EPA reserves the right to reject all
proposals and make no awards.
Projects not selected for award under this solicitation will be
retained on file and made available to other EPA offices for potential
funding for a period of one year from the date of receipt by EPA. This
solicitation notice contains all the information and forms necessary to
prepare a Letter of Intent. Should your Letter of Intent be approved,
this solicitation package directs you to web and mailed sources of the
application kit for a Full Proposal. If your Full Proposal is selected
for possible award, your EPA Regional Office will supply you with
additional Federal forms needed to process your Full Proposal for
award.
Section II. Dates and Deadlines
F. Dates and Deadlines
(1) The Initiative Solicitation will be issued on or about July 11,
2003.
(2) Letters of Intent are due to EPA via e-mail on or before August
11, 2003.
(3) Confirmation of Receipt of the e-mailed Letter of Intent will
be issued not more than 7 business days after receipt by the Agency.
Applicant should follow-up by phone immediately to 202-564-2646 if
acknowledgement from EPA is not received within this time period.
(4) Applicants submitting a Letter of Intent will be notified via
e-mail on or before August 22, 2003 if they are deemed eligible to
participate in the Pre-application Assistance Call and to submit a Full
Proposal.
(5) Pre-application Assistance Call will be held on September 3,
2003. Applicants with accepted Letters of Intent who expressed an
interest in participating in the Pre-application Assistance Call will
be advised via e-mail of the call-in number.
(6) Due Date--October 6, 2003, for Full Proposals from invited
eligible applicants to be delivered to the courier for shipment or
postmarked (see note below re: postal mailing. Full Proposals shipped
or mailed after this date will not be considered for funding under this
solicitation.
(7) Applicants will receive an e-mail notification of receipt of
the Full Proposal within one month of receipt by the Agency.
(8) Selected projects will be announced on or around December 1,
2003.
(9) Start Date for Projects--February 1, 2004, is the earliest
start date that applicants should plan on and enter on their
application forms and time lines. Grant recipients may begin incurring
allowable costs on the start date identified in the EPA grant award
agreement. Budget periods may run from 18-24 months.
(10) Rejection Letters--Rejection Letters are usually sent within 6
months after submission of the Full Proposal.
Section III. Addresses for Delivering Letters of Intent and Full
Proposals
G. Letters of Intent
Letters of Intent should have an e-mail subject line starting with
Letter of Intent: followed by your Project Title. The e-mail should be
sent to [email protected].
H. Full Proposals if Invited by EPA
Full Proposals If Invited By EPA--Due to on-going mail delays in
the Washington, DC area, applicants who are invited to submit a Full
Proposal are strongly encouraged to send original Full Proposals signed
by an authorized representative of their state organization by way of a
private shipping company (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, or courier)
to the attention of: Bettina Fletcher, U.S. EPA, Office of Children's
Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room
2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20004.
If Full Proposals are mailed, send them to: Bettina Fletcher, U.S.
EPA, Office of Children's Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave,
NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room 2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20460.
Section IV. Eligible Applicants and Activities
I. Eligible Applicants
To be eligible to compete for these assistance funds, applicants
must:
(1) Meet standards for eligibility described in section 103(b)(3)
of the CAA (http://www.epa.gov/oar/caa/caa103.txt).
(2) Represent one of the states from EPA Regions 2 through 10.
States from EPA's Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT) may not apply
under this grant. Assistance programs in this area for these states
were addressed through a different solicitation. See note below for the
related Region 1 grant for which these states were eligible.
(3) Adhere to the provisions of The Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs'' (SPOC List) applies.
See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html for further
information.
(4) Demonstrate that you are a state health, or environment or a
regional air authority with formal delegated authority. While only
these agencies may be the direct recipients and lead project
administrators of the project, other partners are eligible for
compensation through sub-contracting agreement(s) between the lead
agency and collaborating partners as long as the state agency maintains
a substantive role in the project.
Projects that include and demonstrate a substantive and active
collaboration between a state health agency and a state environment
agency will be evaluated more favorably. (See selection criteria
below). This collaboration could be reflected in activities such as:
(a) Both agencies dedicating personnel;
(b) Agencies co-sponsoring crucial meetings; or
(c) Both agencies being involved in peer reviews of documents and/
or products.
J. Exceptions
(1) Special Note to EPA Region 1 States:
The EPA Region 1 states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont are expressly excluded from this
funding Initiative. Funding was available directly from the Region 1
Office through a different solicitation known as the Healthy
Communities Grant Program to support New England states' efforts in the
arena of childhood asthma and related community-based endeavors. See
http://www.epa.gov/region01/grants/healthycommunities.html or contact
Sandra Padula at (617) 918-1797 for more information.
K. Multiple Proposals
State organizations within one state may submit more than one
proposal if the proposals are for different projects. However, no more
than one grant will be awarded to a state during the same fiscal year.
State organizations are
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encouraged to collaborate with joint proposals under this solicitation
that is focused on bringing environment and health departments together
to address environmental triggers of childhood asthma.
L. Eligible Expenses
(1) Salaries/fringe;
(2) Travel;
(3) Communications;
(4) Equipment rental;
(5) Indirect overhead;
(6) Public outreach efforts (workshops, public forums, meeting
expenses);
(7) Office expenses;
(8) Printing and copying;
(9) Conference and promotional materials; and
(10) Web site dissemination of information related to the project.
M. Ineligible Expenses
(1) Capital improvements;
(2) Construction projects;
(3) Lobbying or political activities;
(4) Formal education;
(5) Entertainment;
(6) Remediation and removal ;
(7) Provision of medical equipment and supplies;
(8) Air sampling; and
(9) Grants solely for equipment purchases.
Section V. Funding Priorities
N. Solicitation Phases
All states have a long history of working on childhood asthma.
However, asthma has been seen traditionally as a health issue alone. In
the course of the ECOS/ASTHO work with the states, states have become
increasingly aware of the need for state environment and health
agencies to develop collaboratively state strategies and actions to
minimize environmental factors that contribute to asthma in children.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the ECOS/ASTHO state draft
action agenda, Catching Your Breath, at http://www.astho.org/pubs/CatchingYourBreathReport.pdf to gain a full understanding of the work
to date by the states.
To help states progress regardless of where they are on the
continuum, OCHP has divided this solicitation into two parts or
``Phases,'' one for those states that are in the planning stages and
one for states that are prepared to conduct demonstration projects to
explore approaches to addressing the issues. These Phases are described
below.
O. Funding Priorities and Sample Outcomes for Phase A Planning Projects
Note: States Receiving Planning Funding from the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC): In order to be eligible for EPA planning
funds, you must demonstrate that the activities you propose
represent gaps in your current CDC work plan. For example, you might
discuss how EPA funds will substantially enhance your ability to
address the environmental components of the planning process.
(1) Guiding Principles
(a) Ensure that planning activities incorporate environmental
factors relating to asthma.
(b) Ensure that the results are presented in terms that are
sensitive and appropriate to the diverse languages and cultures of
their audience.
(2) Funding Priorities
All planning proposals should include a strategic planning element
that bridges state environment and health departments. Proposals may
also focus on achieving results in one or more of the other Initiative
areas listed below:
(a) Strategic Planning: Draft a statewide plan for addressing the
environmental components of childhood asthma. This may be accomplished
via a state Asthma Summit, a statewide series of participatory local
forums, and/or any other process that results in a detailed statewide
plan. Explicitly outline how official approval of this plan will be
achieved.
Note: This strategic planning may be accomplished as a component
of a larger state planning process to comprehensively address
asthma. If the applicant is a CDC planning grant recipient, the
strategic planning activities must substantially enhance the CDC-
funded process and address environmental factors.
(b) Surveillance: Design a state level system to understand and
uniformly track the burden of childhood asthma as it relates to the
environment. This may include collection of environmental data as well
as collection of health data. The surveillance plans could include a
systematic evaluation of existing tracking mechanisms to identify data
needs, best practices, information sharing opportunities, etc.
(c) Coalition Building: Build effective partnerships and/or
coalitions to communicate, coordinate, and share resources. These
coalitions of groups could include coordinated outreach to targeted
communities; economic development including access to funds for
building renovations that promote healthy indoor environments for
schools or child care centers, etc.
(d) Institutionalize Environmental Management of Asthma: Develop a
state policy/plan that integrates environmental management of asthma
into asthma disease management programs offered to children covered
under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
(3) Sample Outcomes/Results for Phase A Planning Projects
(a) An Asthma Strategic Plan is developed and adopted by the state
environmental and health organizations.
(b) Coalition ``Charter'' is developed, detailing: membership
responsibilities, bylaws, vision or mission statement, leadership
responsibilities, and a budget (funding sources secured and allocated.)
(c) An integrated tracking system is established that can be used
meaningfully by both health professionals and environmental agencies.
(d) A coalition is formed that facilitates the procurement of low
cost materials for building renovations.
P. Funding Priorities and Sample Outcomes for Phase B Demonstration
Projects
Note: Phase B Demonstration Project funding is intended for the
development and evaluation of new approaches and is expressly NOT to
be used to execute ongoing state programs.
(1) Guiding Principles
(a) Ensure that education, training, and outreach efforts are
sensitive to and appropriately address the diverse languages and
cultures of their audiences.
(b) Data should be gathered, analyzed, and presented at the
``smallest'' level possible--smallest geographic area, shortest
possible time frame, smallest age range, etc.
(c) Consider utilizing existing programs and materials from EPA and
other sources prior to developing new tools. Examples of existing
resources include: EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools, Smoke-free Home Pledge
Campaign and public service announcement (PSA) and Asthma brochures,
PSAs and media campaign.
(2) Funding Priorities
Proposals should focus on achieving results in one or more of the
Initiative areas listed below:
(a) Collection, Integration and Use of Health and Environmental
Data: Eligible activities include but are not limited to: Implementing
new asthma surveillance system(s); designing/
[[Page 39081]]
implementing needed environmental data gathering system(s); integrating
existing health data and environmental data; analyzing health and
environmental data; making the results of data collection available to
the public;
(b) Addressing Environmental Factors at Home: Eligible activities
include but are not limited to: Coordinating with existing home
assessment programs to include an asthma component; implementing
effective approaches to eliminate children's exposure to environmental
tobacco smoke such as EPA's Smoke-free Home Pledge Campaign; assisting
families in recognizing and preventing/ eliminating five common indoor
asthma triggers at home such as second-hand smoke, house dust mites,
cockroaches, mold and animal dander; working with housing authorities
and/or landlords to improve indoor environmental quality in low-income
and rental housing; educating special audiences like the media and
medical professionals on strategies for reducing environmental
triggers; developing innovative approaches to fund and/or receive
reimbursement for in-home interventions (education and mitigation
techniques) through public (e.g. Medicaid and State Children's Health
Insurance Programs) and/or private health insurance; etc.
(c) Addressing Environmental Factors at Schools & Child Care
Facilities: Eligible activities include but are not limited to:
Implementing education programs, such as EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools
for Schools Program, for child care and school personnel on improving
indoor environmental quality to minimize triggers; implementing state
policies/plans to improve indoor environmental quality and
environmental health in schools and/or child care facilities;
developing and promoting state policies/plans to address existing
environmental health problems and prevent new ones; developing and
promoting state policies/plans to ensure proper building maintenance
including funding needs; developing and promoting state policies/plans
for environmentally sound school design and construction protocols;
increasing the efficacy of coordinated school health teams to address
the needs of students with asthma; etc.
(d) Addressing Outdoor Environmental Factors: Eligible activities
include but are not limited to: Implementing steps to reduce children's
exposure to diesel exhaust; investigating and/or disseminating findings
about health risks associated with burning; investigating the
connection between hazardous air pollutants and asthma; designing and
implementing systems to forecast air quality (to help people take steps
to protect their own health as well as reduce the activities that cause
pollution); developing and disseminating guidelines for low pollen
planting, especially in areas designed for use by children; etc.
(3) Sample Outputs and Outcomes for Asthma Projects
(a) Number of households of children with asthma that have reported
reduced exposure to indoor asthma triggers.
(b) Number and names of public health organizations (HMOs,
corporate wellness programs, hospitals) urging education and action to
reduce the exposure of people with asthma to indoor asthma triggers,
action on secondhand tobacco smoke exposure, and/or IAQ management in
schools.
(c) Decreased numbers of: ER visits, in-patient hospital
admissions, sick visits to primary care physicians for asthma, school
days missed, rescue medication uses.
(d) Increased numbers of: symptom-free days.
(e) Estimated cost savings.
Section VI. Application Process
Q. Application Process
The application process involves two stages:
Stage 1: Letter of Intent (up to 2 pages). Letters of Intent
submitted to EPA will be screened for basic eligibility and
administrative responsiveness. Only those proposals satisfying all the
basic requirements will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.
Stage 2: Full Proposal submission (preceded by opportunity to
participate in optional Pre-proposal Assistance Call).
Note: See section VIII. Requirement for Letters of Intent and
Full Proposals for the content and formats required for the Letters
of Intent and Full Proposal.
Section VII. Requirements for Letters of Intent and Full Proposals
R. Stage 1: Letter of Intent (Up to two pages)
A Letter of Intent is due via e-mail to [email protected] on
or before August 11, 2003. Letters of Intent should have an e-mail
subject line starting with Letter of Intent: followed by your Project
Title. A sample Letter of Intent is provided as an attachment to this
solicitation. A copy also can be found at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm. Your Letter of Intent must provide
all of the following information:
(Section 1) Contact information for your organization:
(a) Name of your organization;
(b) Project name;
(c) Name of authorized representative;
(c) Address;
(d) Phone number and fax number;
(e) E-mail address;
(d) Web site, if any.
(Section 2) A brief description of how your agency proposes to
collaborate with sister state agency(ies).
(Section 3) One page project summary including:
(a) Description of the organizational unit which will lead/oversee
the project;
(b) A brief summary statement that articulates the project's
concept and states its goals and objectives;
(c) Identification of the funding priority addressed by the
project;
(d) A brief summary of the method that will be used to achieve the
project goals; and
(e) Summary of the kinds of activities that will be funded by the
project.
(Section 4) Indication of Interest in Participating in optional
Pre-application Assistance Call and Special Needs:
(a) Indication if you would like to participate in the September 3,
2003, Pre-application Assistance Call if your Letter of Intent is
accepted.
Note: Letters of Intent submitted to EPA will be screened for
basic eligibility and administrative responsiveness. Only those
proposals satisfying all the basic requirements will be invited to
submit a Full Proposal; and
(b) Indication of any special needs to permit participation on such
a call.
(Section 5) Nomination of questions to be answered on the call.
S. Stage 2: Full Proposals (Including Optional Pre-Proposal Assistance
Conference Call)
Note: If your Letter of Intent is accepted, you will be invited
to participate in Stage 2.
(1) Optional Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call. An optional
Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call will be held on September 3,
2003, to answer any questions prospective eligible applicants may have.
If you indicate in your Letter of Intent a desire to participate in the
Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call and your Letter of Intent is
found to be eligible, you will be emailed instructions for
participating in the conference call.
Note: Applicants should periodically check the Web page below
for updated information to applicants (e.g. posting of some Qs&As
from Letters of Intent). Questions and answers from the September 3,
2003, Pre-
[[Page 39082]]
application Assistance Call will be posted by September 10, 2003,
at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.
(2) Full Proposal (You must complete both (a) the EPA Application
Kit for Federal Assistance and (b) the Work Plan Proposal Narrative as
described below).
(a) EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance
The EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance can be obtained on
the Web at http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm
or http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. The second Web
site also contains information on completing SF-424A Budget Forms and
Understanding Cost Principles for a Federal grant.
(b) Work Plan Proposal Narrative
In addition to the standard forms contained in the EPA Application
Kit for Federal Assistance, you must submit a Work Plan Proposal
Narrative of no greater than 10 pages (plus appendices) that follows
exactly the format outlined below. Text may be single or double spaced,
no smaller than 12 point font. The pages must be letter sized (8\1/2\ x
11 inches). Margins are not specified. Proposals must be legible. This
format is the same whether you are applying for support for a Phase 1
Planning Project or a Phase 2 Demonstration Project.
(i.) Contact Information Sheet (1 pg.): For the project lead and
each collaborating partner, include contact name, organization, title,
address, phone, fax, and e-mail.
(ii.) One Page Project Summary (1 pg.):
Note: All proposals should be well explained and easily read.
Information should be clear and concise, well organized and contain no
unnecessary jargon. Content should include:
(aa) Description of the organizational unit that will lead/oversee
the project.
(bb) Brief summary statement that articulates the project's concept
and states its goals and objectives.
(cc) Identification of the funding priority addressed by the
project.
(dd) Brief summary of the method that will be used to achieve the
project goals.
(ee) Summary of the kinds of activities that will be funded by the
project.
(iii.) Project Description (Up to 5 pages): Describe precisely what
your project will achieve. In your narrative, be sure to answer these
questions in this order:
(aa) Who will conduct the project? What experience do the partners
have in addressing environmental triggers of childhood asthma? What is
the nature of your on-going programs addressing children's
environmental health. What will be the roles and responsibilities of
each partner? Who will be affected by and/or benefit from your project?
How will they be targeted, identified, and recruited?
(bb) Why is it needed?
(cc) What is the purpose of your project? Explain your strategy--
your goals and objectives, the specific activities you will conduct to
achieve them, and what your projected outcomes will be. How will you
evaluate your results and your level of success? Describe any
mechanisms for tracking Initiative outputs (e.g. how many households
were educated, how many homes were assessed, in how many homes were
actions taken), and evaluating Initiative outcomes (e.g. the
effectiveness of the education and mitigation methods, the level of
increased awareness); How will the project be sustained beyond the life
of the EPA grant?
(dd) How will project deliverables and/or findings be presented/
packaged to be shared with and replicated by other states?
(ee) All projects should be completed prior to February 1, 2006.
Outline a detailed time line/responsibility matrix to link your project
activities to a clear project schedule. Indicate at what point over the
months of your budget period each action, project outcome or milestone
occurs and indicate which partner is responsible for each action.
(iv.) Project Budget (1-2 pgs.): Articulate how funds will be used
for specific items and activities. Your budget should include some if
not all of the following major categories of expenses: personnel
(salaries and fringe), travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs, and
indirect costs.
(aa) Eligible Expenses: salaries/fringe, travel, communications,
equipment rental, indirect overhead, public outreach efforts
(workshops, public forums, meeting expenses), office expenses, printing
and copying (conference and promotional materials), and web site
dissemination of information related to the project.
(bb) Ineligible Expenses: capital expenditures, construction
expenses, lobbying, endowments, formal educational expenses,
entertainment, remediation and removal expenses, medical equipment and
supplies, air sampling, and equipment purchases as the sole focus of
the assistance agreement.
(v.) Appendices: As appropriate and relevant, include letters of
commitment from major partners and resumes for key personnel as
appendices. Be sure letters of commitment focus on the partner's role
in the proposed project. Do not include any materials other than
letters of commitment and resumes.
T. Contents of Full Proposal Package
To support the EPA review process, the proposal must contain eight
hard copy sets of the following materials in the order listed below:
(1) Completed EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance and;
(2) Work Plan Proposal Narrative consisting of:
(a) Contact Information Sheet;
(b) Project Summary;
(c) Project Description;
(d) Project Budget; and
(e) Appendices exactly as defined in Section VIII. Requirements of
Letters of Intent and Full Proposals.
Please do not submit additional items. Unnecessary materials (cover
letters, un-requested forms or binders create extra burden for the
reviewers and failure to follow instructions may lower your score.
Section VIII. Review and Selection Process
U. Scoring (Maximum Score: 110 Points)
(1) Reviewers will score each Full Proposal based on how well it:
(a) Demonstrates substantive collaborative partnerships between
state environment and health agencies and demonstrates that project
organizations and personnel have the skills and experience necessary to
ensure success. (25 points)
(b) Demonstrates that project will address a clear and previously
unmet need and identifies who will benefit from the project. (15
points)
(c) Establishes reasonable/realistic goals and objectives
(including reasonable time frames); Clearly outlines a cogent strategy
for achieving, tracking, and demonstrating meaningful results; Outlines
how results and the level of project success will be evaluated; and
outlines how the project will be sustained beyond the funding cycle.
(40 points)
(d) Outlines a clear and cost effective budget for proposed
project. (15 points)
(e) Provides a useful mechanism for project results, such as
product deliverables and lessons learned, to be shared and applied in
other states. (5 points)
(2) Bonus Points (Up to 10): Reviewers have the flexibility to
provide up to 10 bonus points for exceptional project qualities in
accordance with one or more of the following principles of quality and
efficacy:
[[Page 39083]]
(a) Applicant's proposed work targets disproportionately impacted
(with respect to asthma severity or incidence) children.
(b) Applicant's materials are consistent with EPA guidance and
recommendations. In particular, applicant outlines educational
materials and mitigation methods for second-hand tobacco smoke, house
dust mites, cockroaches, molds, and animal dander that are compatible
with the guidance contained in EPA's asthma brochure, A Clear Your Home
of Asthma Triggers: Your Children will Breathe Easier http://www.epa.gov/asthma/resources.html and the findings and recommendations
contained in the January 2000 National Academy of Sciences report on
asthma, A Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures http://books.nap.edu/catalog/9610.html.
(c) Projects focused upon ambient air pollutants and asthma should
be consistent with EPA guidance that can be accessed through http://www.epa.gov/air/topics/comap.html.
(d) Use of education materials reflecting current standards for
conducting environmental health or public health education and outreach
activities, particularly with respect to motivating behavioral changes
in low-literacy, low-income, and disproportionately impacted
populations. (This is not relevant for Phase A Planning Projects).
(e) Proposals including extraordinarily compelling examples and
other strengths noted by the reviewers who evaluate and compare
proposals.
V. Proposal Selection
Letters of Intent submitted to EPA will be screened for basic
eligibility and administrative responsiveness. Only those proposals
satisfying all the basic requirements will be invited to submit a Full
Proposal.
Full Proposals submitted (by invitation) to EPA will be evaluated
screened again to confirm basic eligibility and administrative
responsiveness, especially completeness. Those Full Proposals
satisfying administrative requirements will enter the full evaluation
phase review process. Full Proposals will be evaluated based upon the
quality of their work plans. Reviewers conducting the screening and
evaluation will be EPA Headquarters, Regional and Program Office
personnel. At the conclusion of the evaluation phase, the reviewers
will score Full Proposals based upon the scoring system described in
detail above in section VIII of this solicitation.
W. Final Selections
After individual projects are evaluated and scored by reviewers, as
described above, EPA officials from Headquarters and Regions will
select a diverse range of finalists from the highest ranking Full
Proposals. In making the final selections, EPA will take into account
geographic distribution.
X. Notification to Applicants
Applicants will receive an email notification of receipt of the
Letter of Intent not more than 7 business days after receipt by the
Agency. Applicants with successful Letters of Intent will be invited on
or before August 22, 2003 if they are deemed eligible to participate in
the optional Pre-application Conference Call and to submit a Full
Proposal. Applicants will receive an email notification of receipt of
the Full Proposal within one month of receipt by the Agency. Usually
within six months of application, EPA will contact finalists to request
additional federal forms and other information as recommended by
reviewers. Rejection Letters are usually sent within 6 months after
submission of the Full Proposal.
Section IX. Grantee Responsibilities
Y. Responsible Officials
Projects must be performed by the applicant or by a person
satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All proposals must identify any
person other than the applicant who will assist in carrying out the
project. These individuals are responsible for receiving the grant
award agreement from EPA and ensuring that all grant conditions are
satisfied. Recipients are responsible for the successful completion of
the project.
Z. Incurring Costs
No pre-award costs should be incurred by the recipient. Grant
recipients may begin incurring allowable costs on the start date
identified in the EPA grant award agreement. Activities must be
completed and funds spent within the time frames specified in the award
agreement. EPA grant funds may be used only for the purposes set forth
in the grant agreement and must conform to the Federal cost principles
contained in OMB Circular A-87; A-122; and A-21, as appropriate.
Ineligible costs will be reduced from the final grant award.
AA. Reports and Work Products
Specific financial and other reporting requirements will be
identified in the EPA grant award agreement. Grant recipients must
submit formal quarterly progress reports, unless otherwise instructed
in the award agreement. Also, two copies of the final report and two
copies of all work products must be sent to the EPA project officer
within 90 days after the expiration of the budget period. This
submission will be accepted as the final requirement, unless the EPA
project officer notifies you that changes must be made.
Section X. Other Information and Shipping
BB. Resources
(1) Please visit our Web site for information on children's
environmental health issues and these grant materials at http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp and http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm, respectively.
(2) We strongly suggest that applicants examine the ECOS/ASTHO
state draft action agenda, Catching Your Breath, http://www.astho.org/pubs/CatchingYourBreathReport.pdf for background on State/asthma
activities.
(3) First time recipients of Federal funds are encouraged to
familiarize themselves with the regulations applicable to assistance
agreements found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 40,
part 31 for State and local government entities. See http://www.epa.gov/docs/epacfr40/chapt-I.info/subch-B.html. You may also
obtain a copy of the CFR title 40, part 31 at your local U.S.
Government Bookstore, or through the U.S. Government Printing Office.
This solicitation notice contains all the information and forms
necessary to prepare a Letter of Intent. If your project is selected as
a finalist after the evaluation process is concluded, EPA will provide
you with additional Federal forms needed to process your Full Proposal.
CC. Regulatory References
EPA's general assistance regulations at 40 CFR part 31 apply to
state governments.
DD. Federal Procedures
(1) Optional Pre-proposal Assistance Conference Call for eligible
applicants based upon EPA review of the Letter of Intent has been
scheduled for September 3, 2003. Eligible applicants who indicated in
their Letter of Intent a desire to participate on the call will be
advised via email of call-in procedures prior to the call.
(2) Dispute Resolution Process: Procedures are in 40 CFR 30.63 and
40 CFR 31.70.
[[Page 39084]]
EE. Shipping and Mailing Addresses and Information
Applicants who need more information about this grant or
clarification about specific requirements of this Solicitation Notice,
should periodically check the Web page http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm for posted information (e.g.,
administrative clarification and responses to Q's & A's from Letters of
Intent and participate, if eligible, in the Pre-proposal Assistance
Conference Call.)
Note: To ensure fair and open competition, EPA will answer no
questions except on the pre-application conference call.
Questions and answers from the September 3, 2003, Pre-application
Assistance Call will be posted within a week of the Assistance Call on
the OCHP Web page at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.
If paper copies of the EPA Application Kit for Federal Assistance
are required, contact Bettina B. Fletcher at 202-564-2646.
Letters of Intent should be e-mailed to: [email protected].
Full Proposals If Invited By EPA--Due to on-going mail delays in
the Washington, DC area, applicants who are invited to submit a Full
Proposal are strongly encouraged to send original Full Proposals signed
by an authorized representative of their state organization by way of a
private shipping company (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, or courier)
to the attention of: Bettina Fletcher, U.S. EPA, Office of Children's
Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room
2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20004.
If Full Proposals are mailed, send them to:Bettina Fletcher, U.S.
EPA, Office of Children's Health Protection, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave,
NW., Mail Code 1107A, Room 2512 Ariel Rios North, Washington, DC 20460.
Sample Letter of Intent Summary Sheet (Up to 2 Pages)
All state organizations who intend to apply should complete this
form and return it to EPA via e-mail to [email protected] by
August 11, 2003.
Section 1
Organization Name:
Project Name:
Applicant Address: --------------
Street City State Zip Code
Applicant Phone Number:
Applicant Email Address:
Authorized Representative of the Organization:
Applicant FAX Number:
Applicant Web Site (if any)
Section 2
Brief description of your agency and how your agency proposes to
collaborate with sister state agency(ies) in this project.
Section 3
Project Summary (Not to Exceed One Page)
Description of the organizational unit that will lead/oversee the
project:
Brief summary statement that articulates the project's concept and
states its goals and objectives:
Identification of the funding priority addressed by the project:
Brief summary of the method that will be used to achieve the project
goals:
Summary of the kind of activities that will be funded by the project:
Section 4
Indicate below whether your agency would like to participate in the
September 3, 2003, Pre-application Assistance Call if your letter of
intent is found to be eligible. Questions and answers from the
September 3, 2003, Pre-application Assistance Call will be posted by
September 10, 2003, at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/grants.htm.
[sbull] Yes, I would like to participate in the September 3, 2003,
Pre-application Assistance Call if my Letter of Intent is found by EPA
to be eligible.
[sbull] No, I decline to participate in the September 3, 2003, Pre-
proposal Assistance Call if my Letter of Intent is found by EPA to be
acceptable.
[sbull] Please describe any type of support (e.g., Telephone for
the Deaf (TDD) number and/or Federal Information Relay (FIR)) you
require to permit participation in the Pre-application Assistance
Conference Call.
Section 5
To help us prepare for the best possible Pre-Application Assistance
Call, please submit in advance any questions you have at this time
regarding this application process. Additional questions may also be
posed on the call.
Dated: June 24, 2003.
Joanne Rodman,
Acting Director, Office of Children's Health Protection.
[FR Doc. 03-16583 Filed 6-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P